1st time to Disney - HELP!!!!!

Hi Pattjohn and Welcome! We're so glad that you found us here. I would absolutely still say that you can have a fantastic Disney vacation, regardless of your fitness level. I think the key is to plan well, and to pace yourself, allowing for lots of rest breaks and refreshment stops. Also, even if you aren't much into rides, there is SO much to see and do in all four of the parks, as well as at Downtown Disney and the resorts, that a vacation to WDW will always be a fun destination.

First of all, when will you be going? Do you plan to stay on property? How many days will you be at WDW?

Some of the other things that you might think about...there are a lot of dinner shows (and even a Gospel Brunch at House of Blues.) There are also standalone shows, like Cirque de Soleil.

As for Animal Kingdom, it's pretty spectacular. Disney has taken great pains to create very natural habitats for their animals, and then give guests the opportunity to learn about them in those habitats. There are also terrific educational activities, much like you'd find at Columbus Zoo.

We look forward to hearing more from you about your upcoming trip! We especially love to talk food, so let us know if we can give you a hand with any of your planning!

Welcome to the forum. You'll find all kinds of great advice here. Animal Kingdom is definitely not zoo like. Its probably the most amazing animal reserve I have ever seen. The Kilimanjaro Safari is truly an amazing experience. It really feels like you are on safari in Africa. I think you and your husband would love it. There are also a lot of great shows to see at Animal Kingdom, so no worries if you're not into thrill rides. How long will you be at WDW? Are you planning to hit any other parks? Epcot's World Showcase is also a big hit with adults. Nothing like walking around the world in one afternoon.

EVERYBODY is Disney Worthy!

Animal Kingdom is great fun. I've been to some pretty cool zoos (San Diego, D.C., Cleveland), but Animal Kingdom isn't like any of them. You'll ride a trek vehicle through habitats made to look like the natural habitats of animals from all over the world. You'll walk through other natural habitat areas and get up close with the creatures. You'll see a bird show where the birds literally fly right over your head. And Animal Kingdom has two of the best shows in all of Disney World - Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo - The Musical. It's worth going to Animal Kingdom just to see the shows.

Don't skip Epcot! It's most adults' favorite Disney park. You aren't into rides, but most Disney rides aren't "thrill rides," they're more like experiences. At Epcot's Spaceship Earth, you'll see the history of communication. In the Land pavilion you'll get a behind the scenes look at Disney's horticultural work. Ellen's Energy Adventure shows where our energy comes from and what the future of energy might be. Some of the World Showcase pavilions have rides or shows that introduce you to their country's people, culture, and natural wonders. And if you like to eat (who doesn't?), there's all sorts of international specialties all around the World Showcase.

Disney's Hollywood Studios is all about the world of entertainment. The Great Movie Ride celebrates the history of cinema (once again, an experience, not a thrill ride). The Backlot Tour shows you how movies are made. Get a look at how movie stunts are done at the Indiana Jones stunt show or the Lights! Motors! Action! stunt show. Do you like American Idol? Then don't miss the American Idol Experience. And Fantasmic! is probably THE best show in all of Disney World. You don't want to miss it!

As for the Magic Kingdom? That's what most people think of when they think of Disney World. Have you seen any of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies? Then you'll surely want to check out the ride that inspired the movies. Maybe you had a chance to see It's a Small World at the New York World's Fair when you were a kid? You'll want to see it again here. The Haunted Mansion is a real hoot, and the Hall of Presidents is inspiring. You can easily fill a whole day at the Magic Kingdom without ever setting foot on a thrill ride.

Now, for your age and physical condition issues.

I'm also mid-50s and somewhat overweight. I used to be seriously obese and out of shape, but then I had a heart attack (very minor, just one night in the hospital, felt great since then) and basically had to choose between dying young as a coach potato or cleaning up my act. So I cleaned up my act. Now I (usually) eat healthy (let's be honest, everybody splurges occasionally) and get anywhere from 5 to 10 hours of exercise a week, which includes walking 3 to 5 miles at a time, lifting weights, and using gym equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical, and rowing machine.

Our first and second trips to Disney were pre-heart attack. And let me tell you, they were TOUGH. By the end of each day I was exhausted and sore; by the end of the week my feet and legs hurt so much I could barely walk. My last two trips were post-heart attack, and I was able to walk all over the parks from arrival till closing seven days in a row. Sure, my legs were tired at the end of the day, but after a good night's rest I felt great and was able to do it all over again.

How soon is your trip? Because if it's a few months or more in the future, you have time to get in shape so you can really enjoy the parks instead of feeling like your legs are going to fall off by the middle of your second or third day. Even if it's just one month away, you still have time to get yourselves in somewhat better shape.

So get up NOW and go take a walk. Start small - around the block. Next time, go two blocks. After that, go three blocks and keep increasing your distance each trip. Do this 4 to 6 days a week (the more the better) until you've worked your way up to walking at least 3 miles each time and preferably more. Try to get up to 5 miles per trip if you can, because you WILL walk at least that much per day at Disney World. And if you can, find a local gym and join up because weight training will make you stronger and help prevent osteoporosis.

If your trip is sooner, like next week, well, I'd suggest taking it slow around the parks. Take breaks whenever you can, sit and people watch, and don't jump all over the parks - concentrate on one section at a time, even if it means you don't see as much. Then consider this the beginning of your new exercise regimen and keep on walking once you get back home. I know from personal experience how unappealing exercise is when you're a coach potato. But trust me, once exercise becomes a habit, you won't know how you lived without it. Exercise makes you feel AWESOME!

So get out there and start walking! And then go enjoy Disney World and tell us all about it when you get back!

This will be our first time to Disney without our daughter. I am very excited about the idea of doing the "grown up" Disney.

What would be the grown up Disney trip of a lifetime???

What would be the grown up Disney trip of a lifetime???